Jake Robinson hit a hat-trick for Northampton Town in their behind-closed doors friendly that concluded their week-long training camp in Croatia, with Ishmel Demontagnac, trialist Michael Hoganson and Adebayo Akinfenwa also on target.
The Cobblers rounded off their week with a training game against local Croatian Division Three side Novigrad. The match was played in warm, sunny conditions and ended with Town running out comfortable 6-1 winners.
Novigrad’s Almir Halilovic had an early chance when he found himself clear on goal. Despite looking offside, no flag was forthcoming and Halilovic was only denied by a good save from Neal Kitson.
Playing in the new green away kit, the Cobblers soon had the lead and the goal arrived from the penalty spot when Robinson converted from 12 yards on the quarter hour mark.
Eleven minutes later Demontagnac doubled the advantage. He picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and beat two players as he made his way across the 18 yard box before placing a shot beyond the keeper.
Robinson added his second and Town’s third five minutes before half time, scoring with a neat finish from just inside the penalty area.
The former Shrewsbury Town man completed his hat-trick just before the interval when he finished off a flowing Town move. Luke Guttridge delivered a cross that was knocked down perfectly by Clive Platt, allowing Robinson the opportunity to complete his hat-trick inside the first 45 minutes.
The Cobblers made a number of positional and personnel changes at half time and the home side pulled a goal back in the first part of the second half, Alen Alic scoring past Dean Snedker from close range.
Aidy Boothroyd’s side scored twice in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt. First trialist Hoganson was picked out by a raking 30 yard Ben Tozer pass. Hoganson beat his man before scoring past the keeper at the near post.
It was then the turn of Adebayo Akinfenwa to get on the score sheet, with the big man heading home a Chris Hackett cross from six yards to round off a successful evening and a successful week.
The squad returned to the UK on Sunday evening. Their first public pre-season outing comes on Saturday when they travel to take on Blue Square Bet North side Corby Town – now managed by Cobblers legend Ian Sampson – at Steel Park.
